Ellison Taylor

My grandma was very pleased with our 'hospitality' towards our cousins. That's what she said to me when Edith brings her phone to me the next day while we were eating lunch. Claire has finally decided to bring some bright side with her as she entertained all of us with her humour. This is exactly what we wanted , we needed someone to bring a little entertainment in the group.

"I'm very pleased to hear Brent and you are taking great care of your cousins." She started. For once, at least she is complimenting us instead of complaining.

"Good to here that, grandma." I said.

"But Marilyn said you were not willing to introduce a friend of yours who she fancies. That's very selfish of you."

I have no idea what she was talking about.

"Which friend?"

"Some man called Ian." And my eyes shot up. No way! That's so so low of Marilyn to ask my grandma for that kind of help.

"He's taken,grandma." I said. If I tell grandma Ian and I are dating. It makes it easier for her to make me give in to things. As a child, she used to make me give my favourite things away to my cousins and I hated that. From my new dresses to toys, if they like it- it's theirs and I don't like that.

"It doesn't harm anyone just to introduce them. He might have a change in heart." And my stomach turned into a knot. My insecurities rising up.

"I don't think Ian will appreciate that."

"I will ask Marilyn to call me when he is around and I will speak to him."

I know grandma will be very persistent and will force Ian to be friends with Marilyn-but a part of me feel that Ian have is strong minded and nothing can sway him away, but that's just a small part of me who thinks that.

"What else did Marilyn say to you?" I asked.

"She said she can't believe that you were being selfish for not introducing them properly in the beginning."

"We should let Ian decide.." I whispered.

"Very well, I don't think anyone can say no to my granddaughter. She is a beautiful and strong woman."

"Anything else, grandma?" I asked.

"That's it." She said. "Bye." And hanged up on me.

When I returned back to the table, Marilyn give me a smirk. She knows what grandma and I talked about and I hate how she is being smug about it.

"Are you okay?" Claire asked me when we were on our way to the parked car.

"Yes." I whispered. I still need to update Claire about my relationship with Ian. So much has happen and I know she will be mad because I didn't update her about this. "Later."

She frowned but just nodded her head. Ian texted me and said he will drop by later to meet me.

"Ok." I said. My mood has gone down since my talk with grandma.

"Is everything okay?" He messaged back.

"Everything is fine." I said.

Even though I sent that text he still called me.

"What is it, Ell?" He asked concerned. "Is everything okay?"

"I'm just tired." I lied.

He sighed in relief. "Okay, but I want to see you tonight."

"Okay." I said.

"What's the plan for you guys?"

"My cousins will be meeting their friends so at 4 pm we should be heading home."

"I'll drop by at your place around 6:45 pm. We can go out for dinner?"

"Claire is here with me." I said. "I think she will be staying over."

"Okay.." he paused to think. "I'll invite Cooper and El."

"How convenient is that."

"They want to see you anyway, after you left abruptly like that... they were upset."

"I'm sorry.." I apologize.

"You know I'm kidding right?" He said. "I'll see you tonight. Stay safe, please."

"I will and you too."

Marilyn was very interested who it was that I was talking. She just wants me to admit that it was Ian.

When it was 4:30 pm, we decided to go home. I was quiet the whole time- Brent waited until the two sisters got off the car with Claire.

"What's bothering you?" He asked.

"Nothing." I said and he give me a look.

"What did grandma say to you?" He asked. He knows me too well to not notice that.

"She want me to introduce Ian to Marilyn." I whispered.

"Please tell me you told her about your relationship with him." He turned to look at me.

"You know how she is.. if I tell her I'm the one in the relationship she will make me give up on him."

"He is not a toy that you can give up like that. We are not children anymore where we need to share or give up our toys because we are suppose be the nice ones!" He was mad,now. "I can't take this bullsh*t anymore." He said. "I will talk to Marilyn and grandma about this."

"I was going to give Ian the option."

"Like what? Say to him.. oh, I think my cousin is interested in you and was wondering if you are too?"

I winced at his words. He sighed.

"If you don't talk to them.. I will." He warned.

I nodded my head. "I'm going to park the car, see you inside." I thanked him and stepped out of the car. I walked into the lobby and see Cooper and El with Claire and my cousins.

"Finally, you are here!" Cooper breathed a sigh of relief. "They wanted your approval before we go to your floor." The security guard give me a curt nod. He is definitely not happy with them.

"Sorry." I apologize. "They are with me." The guy asked them to fill in the details.

"Must be Ian's doing.." El muttered.

Edith was eying them with interest and so was Marilyn.

Cooper was very attentive to Claire. "You look good with this hairstyle." He complimented her and she give him her shy smile. It's been a while since I saw this reaction from her and I couldn't help but be happy for them.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked as we proceeded to the elevator.

"Ian called us and said we will be hanging out this evening. We both were around the neighbourhood, so we came here. The security didn't let us go to your floor due to the order of the owner."

"Who's the owner?" Edith asked.

"Ian, of course." Cooper said. "Who are you?"

"I'm Marilyn and this is Edith." Marilyn introduced themselves. "Didn't know Ian was the owner of this condominium."She said very pleased.

"Yea." El said. "Hi Ellison. You left without notice, yesterday."

"Where did you go yesterday?" Claire asked dumbfounded and give me an accusing look.

"I was at Ian's place."

"Oh." Was all she said.

Brent walked in.. "who are they?" He asked.

"They are Ian's cousins."

Our cousins eyes lit up like Christmas lights.

"They are?" Claire asked looking at Cooper for confirmation.

"Yes." He shrugged.

"Wow.. how come I didn't hear that one before."

"We were high school classmates." I said.

"We are also friends with Ellison and Claire." Cooper said. "My name is Cooper and he is Elias." He introduced themselves and this was my first time hearing El's full name and I was surprised. Elias.The name suits him and all this time I thought his name might have been Elliot or Elson.

"Hello, nice to meet you." El greeted. "You must be Ellison's brother."

"Ellison never spoke about you guys with me." Brent said honestly.

"I'm hurt." Cooper joked and I rolled my eyes.

"Let's go." I said trying to change the topic. We all headed to the apartment.

"You all have good looking genes in you." Brent said to Cooper.

"We get that a lot." He laughed in a not so snobbish way.

"What were you guys planning to do?" Marilyn suddenly asked.

"Ian said we will be going out for dinner." El shrugged.

"Oh." Edith said. "Too bad we have a plan tonight."

"Unless we cancel it." Marilyn said.

"That's not nice." Cooper said. "I hate when people ditch at the last moment."

Marilyn blushed lightly. Well.. someone was honest.

As soon as we all stepped inside the apartment. It seemed crowded and small all of a sudden. I have never invited anyone before not in large groups at least.

"Your apartment is beautiful." Cooper complimented.

"Thanks." I said. "Water,anyone?"

There were couples of yes and no answers, but I took out the bottles and left it on the counter along with juice bottles.

Marilyn and Edith had to get ready to go meet their friends.

Brent was playing X-box with Cooper when Marilyn stepped out in a dark short dress and heels with her hair curled. No one commented anything and I think she was hoping someone would say something or compliment her. El was busy flipping through the fashion magazines. My brother and Cooper was busy playing games. Claire was asleep in the recliner chair and I was just working on my computer.

She pouted before sitting down on the couch.

My phone rang and it was Ian. I jumped up on my feet and picked up the call before moving towards my room.

"Hi.." I said shyly. I don't even know why I'm shy all of a sudden.

"Hey beautiful." He said.

Author's Note: Thank you for reading this book, please give this chapter a vote and a share. Thank you for 3K reads!! Next update will be tomorrow :)